Paralympics heroes welcomed with garlands and sweets upon homecoming

Swarmed by hundreds of supporters, garlanded and fed sweets, India's Paralympic medal-winners returned to a jubilant welcome on Tuesday after securing an unprecedented haul of 29 medals at the just-concluded Games in Paris.

There was the customary dhol and euphoric chants hailing them as the athletes made their way out of the Indira Gandhi International Airport this morning. Supporters, sports administrators and families of the athletes lined up to show their appreciation for the contingent.

"Thank you so much for this grand welcome," javelin thrower Sumit Antil told PTI.

He clinched a second successive gold in the F64 category by breaking his own Games record with a throw of 70.59m.

The reigning world champion became the second Indian after shooter Avani Lekhara to defend the Paralympics title.

Avani had won gold in women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 event in Paris after winning a yellow metal in the same event in the Tokyo Games. She returned to the country last week after ...